In the past few years, outdoor dining has become a year-round staple in North Jersey and beyond. Spring is here and restaurants are ready to once again open their outside areas in full force. Whether you’re looking for a sit-down brunch, quality seafood, a quick grab-and-go dessert, or specific ethnic cuisine, Montclair has endless options. Read on to learn more about these eateries with amazing outdoor dining options in Montclair, New Jersey.
Disclaimer: This is a growing list, and further suggestions are welcomed. Please email [email protected] with any additions.
Alto | 690 Bloomfield Avenue
Alto, a restaurant under The MC Hotel, is a rooftop bar that features indoor and outdoor seating. While indulging in small plate-style food and various drinks, guests can enjoy the NYC skyline.
Bonjour Montclair Cafe | 254 Park Street
This cozy cafe inspired by everyday family cooking has over three dozen sweet + savory crepe options, ranging from a steak, onion, and pepper combo to more classic cinnamon and sugar. The eatery also has a full menu of sandwiches, an indoor dining room, and outdoor tables open to the public daily weather permitting. No waiter service is available, but anyone is welcome to grab a seat.
Read More: 9 Coffee Shops in Essex County With Outdoor Seating
Boschetto | 111 Grove Street
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This elevated fast-casual restaurant serves a variety of pizzas, pastas, and other Italian favorites. One of the chef’s many specialties is the panuozzi, a made-to-order sandwich baked with homemade pizza dough. It also serves desserts including gelato, and the restaurant is BYOB. Outdoor seating is available on Boschetto’s patio.
Cuban Pete’s | 428 Bloomfield Avenue
With a BYO-alcohol option available, it’s always five o’clock somewhere. Cuban Pete’s encourages patrons to bring bottles of wine or rum so the staff can make custom sangria or mojitos. The restaurant is also known for its non-alcoholic versions of these fan-favorite cocktails.
da Pepo | 54 Fairfield Street
Da Pepo serves up traditional Italian recipes — made in-house and learned from Italian ancestors — making the pasta selection top-notch. With warmer months on the horizon, its outdoor seating area will be open along the sidewalk. After dinner, MG recommends checking out Watchung Booksellers (right next door) for a post-dinner read.
Dan + Day’s Burgers and Shakes | 598 Valley Road
Dan + Day’s Burgers and Shakes provides a wide-ranging menu of grass-fed beef burgers, wagyu hot dogs, homemade veggie burgers, and creamy milkshakes. The restaurant has picnic-style tables outside its space, making it great for larger groups.
Diesel + Duke | 20 Church Street, Montclair
The menu of this burger joint includes, of course, burgers hand-cut fries, shakes, and, its most popular item, poutine. Diesel + Duke has picnic tables outside for any customer to enjoy during the warmer days.
De Novo European Pub | 275 Bellevue Avenue
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This family-friendly European-inspired gastropub is located directly next to the Montclair train station, with outdoor tables a safe distance away from the tracks. There’s no place better to grab a flatbread and beer while waiting to head out on a trip, or simply just decompressing after a long day of work.
Efi’s Gyro | 521 Bloomfield Avenue
Efi’s Gyro is a Bloomfield Avenue restaurant that serves up authentic Greek gyro as well as other Greek dishes like bowls, pies, Greek iced coffee, and more. The spot has quite a few tables outside the storefront for customers to enjoy Mediterranean food with a view of downtown Montclair.
Egan + Sons | 118 Walnut Street
At Egan + Sons, there is heated outdoor seating that is regularly available if you are looking to check out this location’s fish ‘n’ chips, pizza, signature cocktails, or beer on tap. The seating area takes up a good portion of the parking lot, which means large parties are welcome.
Faubourg Restaurant + Bar | 544 Bloomfield Avenue
This elegant bi-level, indoor-outdoor location is best known for its French-inspired cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and its separate plant-based menu featuring dishes like vegetarian orecchiette and mushroom tarte flambee.
Java Love | 49 Church Street, Montclair
Java Love, a Montclair staple, has bright orange tables that sit alongside Church Street. The seating sits two, making it a great spot to catch up with friends, complete some computer work outdoors, or just take in the New Jersey suburbia views.
Just Jake’s | 30 Park Street
With TVs, tents, and heaters, the patio at Just Jake’s is the perfect spot to watch weekend sports games or gather with co-workers for weekday happy hour, Monday through Friday 12PM-6PM.
Leone’s | 19 South Park Street
This pizza place has a lovely outdoor seating area to enjoy Italian-American cuisine outside. With salads, pasta, a large list of Italian entrees, and — of course — pizza, this is a great stop for delicious and comforting food while enjoying the breeze. Leone’s also has an indulgent dessert menu — we’re talking Oreo cheesecake, mini cannolis, and more.
Lit Cafe | 25 Church Street, Montclair
Lit Cafe, a specialty coffee shop, serves all kinds of brews, teas, and pastries, and sells wellness products from the sister brand, Lit Lab. While the spot does not have any tables, it does provide benches for customers to sit on and people-watch.
Marcel Bakery + Kitchen | 631 1/2 Valley Road
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Marcel Bakery + Kitchen, conveniently located in Upper Montclair, is home to bagels, pastries, rotisserie chicken wraps, daily vegetables, and breakfast specials that regularly change. The restaurant is set up for customers to order and purchase the items inside, and then the hardworking staff will bring all food to the outdoor tables if one prefers to dine on-site rather than grab + go.
Mattarello Bakery + Cafe | 254 Bellevue Avenue
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Mattarello with dozens of baked goods and specialty coffees. There are small tables set up outside the front sidewalk area so guests can leisurely enjoy the dessert. Some delicious menu items include Nutella bites, ‘St. Joseph’s Cream Puffs,’ and gluten-free chocolate Caprese.
Mercado | 605 Valley Road
Mercado, a MTC spot from the same owners as the former Sandwich Theory, pays homage to traditional Portuguese marketplaces. The food choices here include breakfast items, bowls, salads, sandwiches, soups, specials, and a plant-based menu. There is outdoor seating set up at the front of the restaurant.
Montclair Brewery | 101 Walnut Street
Established in 2014 by a husband and wife duo, the microbrewery and tasting room was born from a passion for home brewing and hosting. Now, the brewery is a go-to for unique brews and a unique experience. Patrons can enjoy a beer inside the tasting room or in the outdoor patio area.
Montclair House Grill | 12 Church Street
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Weather-permitting outdoor dining is set up at the front of this Church Street location branching out to the sidewalk area during all business hours.
Paper Plane Coffee Co. | 61 North Fullerton Avenue
Established in 2015, Paper Plane Coffee Co. is more than your average, run-of-the-mill coffee shop, and serves up a creative and diverse menu. There is outdoor seating set up outside so customers can enjoy their drinks during this beautiful weather.
Pappardelle Ristorante | 77 Walnut Street
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Whether looking for a romantic night out or a traditional Italian dinner with the fam, Pappardelle opens its doors, and outdoor front area weather permitting.
Porta | 499 Bloomfield Avenue
The Italian joint, which also has locations in Asbury Park and Jersey City, added a rooftop dining space in the summer of 2024. Adorned with flowers and greenery, the space is about 62 feet long and seats up to 48 people at tables with removable umbrellas.
Raymond’s | 28 Church Street
This upscale BYOB bistro is serving up delicious comfort food in a whimsical environment and people line up every weekend for a bite. There are a few dishes that every visitor must try, and that includes French toast, huevos rancheros, pancakes, and breakfast burritos. It’s all about fresh ingredients at Raymond’s.
Sweet Kitchen | 533 Bloomfield Avenue
There are very few things in this life that are sweeter than brunch. Except maybe brunch in the sunshine with a side of fresh-made pastries. This is exactly what Sweet Kitchen, located in the heart of Montclair, can provide with the daily outdoor dining option.
See More: Your Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Dining in Hoboken + Jersey City
Uncle Momo | 702 Bloomfield Avenue
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Uncle Momo’s serves up an award-winning fusion of French and Lebanese cuisine. Outdoor reservations, which can be made on OpenTable, are only currently available on warmer days, weather permitting.
Zeugma | 44 South Park Street
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Zeugma, a delicious Mediterranean restaurant, has an outdoor patio weather permitting. The patio is first-come, first-served, and reservations are for indoor dining only. Whether you’re craving hummus, falafel, halloumi, lamb, or more, this is a great spot for good eats outdoors.
A Historic Upstate Getaway: Hotel Kinsley in Kingston, NY
No matter the time of year, a weekend getaway can feel special in every season. A place that’s not too far from home, but just far enough, is Kingston, New York. Recently, our team had the chance to explore Hotel Kinsley in uptown Kingston, NY + its surrounding area. From a winter + cozy feel to a transition to spring, and from a mini outdoor vacation over the summer to soak up the last of fall’s perfect weather, New Jerseyians can make a weekend getaway work all year long. Keep reading to learn more about the luxury boutique hotel in Kingston, New York.
About Hotel Kinsley
Hotel Kinsley is about an hour-and-40-minute drive from the Montclair area by car. It is available by taking the Garden State Parkway to Routes 17, 287, + 87 to get to NY state. Once in New York, drivers can take Route 28. For those who need to take public transit, it is possible to reach the Kingston Area through a series of NJTransit + Amtrack trains. It is more feasible to travel via car, and passengers can travel throughout uptown, midtown, + downtown with ease.
Read More: A Trip to New Jersey’s 2nd Largest Museum: Morris Museum
Hotel Kinsley is one hotel spread across four buildings. Each building has its own personality and style, and there are 42 rooms in total. The Wall Street building, the first building the Hotel acquired, was originally the State Bank of New York and holds rooms with more modern finishes. It is also the space that holds the hotel’s complimentary breakfast + restaurant which is open to the public for lunch + dinner. Fair Street differs from the other buildings as it has rotating local art and also has ADA rooms available (guests should call ahead to inquire further about these rooms).
Pearl Street is one of the last buildings acquired by Hotel Kinsley. It has modern finishes and holds a lounge on the main floor, as well as a gym, massage room, + inferred sauna. The John Street building is a colonial cottage-style building that houses suite rooms for guests. There are seven rooms within the John Street building, in addition to an annex behind it. This annex can be reserved upon request and has two lounges, a kitchenette, and a half bath, making it a great spot for a child’s birthday party or a bride to get ready on her special day.
Hotel Kinsley is a space for all who love colonial-style architecture, contemporary art, + modern finishes. The buildings were established between the 17th + 19th centuries and some have gone through renovations. Much of the hotel’s artwork, including its crest and stunning watercolor art throughout the buildings, was created by Brooklyn-based artist Happy Menocal. The hotel’s crest is broken into four quadrants, each of which represents one of the buildings. The motifs are represented again in each building via a custom carpet design for each building: checkerboard in 301 Wall, lightning bolt in 41 Pearl, green leaf in 270 Fair, and scallop in 24 John.
Hotel Kinsley Local Collaborations
LOLA | 243 Fair Street, Kingston
Hotel Kinsley is associated with LOLA Restaurant + Cafe on Fair Street. LOLA has options available for appetizers, pastas, pizzas, + more. Our team recommends the Calamari (flash fried, with zucchini, + spicy aioli) or the Sauteed Escarole (with garlic, lemon, + white wine) to begin the meal. Then, move on to the Tiger Paw Pizza (with pepperoni, tomato sauce, provolone, mozzarella, onion, + chili honey).
Assembly | 236 Wall Street, Kingston
Hotel Kinsley works in conjunction with The Assembly. Located on Wall Street, this space provides events in its venue space which can hold up to 450 people standing. Some events available for attendees are Josh Ritter, Beth Stelling, + Hudson Valley Burlesque Bash. While Assembly mainly runs ticketed events, Hotel Kinsley provides private events in this space like weddings, bar mitzvahs, + more.
The Menu
Restaurant Kinsley is attached to the Wall Street building. The restaurant is open to the public for lunch + dinner. There is also a bar on the other side of the restaurant serving hand-crafted cocktails to customers. MG recommends starting the evening by ordering a cocktail like Bahamian (coconut-washed Pineapple Rum, Rittenhouse Rye, Pineapple Liqueur, + Absinthe Rinse) or an It’s Not My Fault I’m Happy (Tequila, mezcal, fernet, peach, + lime).
The main dining room provides a colorful atmosphere to try the Lamb Meatball (with romesco, + mint), the Lentil Tacos (black lentils, feta, avocado, pickled onion, + salsa verde), or the Smashburger (on a potato roll with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, secret sauce, + pickles, served with fries).
See More: A Trip to Readington Brewery + Hop Farm in Neshanic Station, NJ
Places To Explore
While the features of Hotel Kinsley provide guests with plenty of time for rest + relaxation, there are also things to do in uptown Kingston worth exploring. For those who appreciate the dive bar scene, check out the Saltbox Bar on Crown Street. For great cocktails + nibbles with an old-timey feel, stop by Stockade Tavern on Fair Street to enjoy intimate lighting and sit at tables made from sewing machines.
For a sweet treat, try stopping in Sweet Maresa’s Bakery for a cup of coffee + a French macaroon or a shortbread cookie. Music lovers should visit Rhino Records or Rocket Number Nine Records to check out a large selection of new + old vinyl. A must-see for a history buff is the Senate House + Museum nearby.
